Finland Set To Introduce 4-Day Working Week And 6-Hour Days

Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin

The new Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin, has called for the introduction of a flexible working schedule of 4-day working week and 6-hour days.

The youngest female head of government in the world made the announcement of the intention to trial the initiative, which she claims could be “the next step” in working life.

The 34-year-old leads a five party centre-left coalition – all led by women.

The Social Democratic Party leader told New Europe:

“I believe people deserve to spend more time with their families, loved ones, hobbies and other aspects of life, such as culture. This could be the next step for us in working life.”

The mum-of-one leads a centre-left coalition with four other parties which are all headed by women, three of which are under 35.

The current working week in Finland is eight hours per day, five days per week, UK Sun reports.

The proposal was immediately welcomed with enthusiasm by the Minister of Education, Li Andersson.

She said: “It is important to allow Finnish citizens to work less. It is not a question of governing with a feminine style but offering help and keeping promises to voters.”

Since 1996 Finnish workers have had the right to start or finish work three hours earlier or later.

In 2015, Sweden trialled six hour working days and found that employees were happier, wealthier and more productive.